Don't Look Back

People today are hording material things at a record pace, trying to fill the void of a bad economy, loss of a job, or even trying to forget their past. They think they can fill their life with "things" to take away any pain of regret, bitterness, and loneliness.

Often people will make a bad choice thinking they are "justified" in their behavior and deserve to do something they desire. After all you live only once! But loving this world will get us into all kinds of trouble.

We can see this in Lot's wife in the Bible. Abraham gave Lot a choice for which land he wanted and Lot chose the one pleasing to his eye. He wanted to live by a city. He was influenced by their life style. I am sure he felt he was strong and could withstand the lure of the sinful city, but he was only fooling himself. His choice cost him his wife's life. For in the end, they were told by the Angel of the Lord to flee the city and don't look back.

Genesis 19:26
But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

Lot's wife looked with pleasure at the city that she was fleeing. What does the city represent in her life?

1. False Security

The Bible doesn't say very much about Lot's wife's character, but we can learn a little about her by reading about Sodom and Gomorrah and what happened with Lot's family while they were living there.

Lot's wife put her security in where she lived, and who she associated with. She never seemed to take on the God of her husband. She was warned not to look back, but looking back proved she didn't trust the angels, or her husband. Looking back showed she was more interested in where she had been then where she was going.

2. Sin has pleasure or we wouldn't do it.

Lot's wife found pleasure in the city. No, the Bible doesn't say exactly what she did or didn't do while she was living there, but the very fact she looked back to take one last look at what she had shows a piece of her character. Even though she lived in an extremely sinful city it didn't bother her. We can get so use to a sinful lifestyle, or get use to societies moral standards; we begin to think it is okay and acceptable. This is a sure lesson we can take to heart today as the world in which we live in has dumb down sin and a sinful life style that doesn't please God. If it doesn't line up with God's word, flee from it and never look back.

3. The grass isn't always greener on the other side!

I believe Lot felt that the grass was greener and more pleasurable as that is why he chose the land over Abraham. He looked and it pleased him. Often times we long for what some one else has and think it is better than what we have, only to get it and realize you are worse off then before. Greener grass doesn't always mean a better life. Sometimes good old hard work and enjoying our hard labor is reward enough. Earning an honest wage and taking care of your family pleases God.

4. You can't take it with you, hold on loosely!

We have to remember we are just passing through this life. The world is not our home if we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and have received Him into our hearts as Lord and Savior. It is natural to hold on to material things of this world, after all we can see it, feel it, and touch it, but it will always leave us empty and unfulfilled when all is said and done. We can't take any of it with us when we go to heaven, nor would we really want to. Remind yourself to "hold on loosely." Don't hold so tightly the things of this world, or relationships, or achievements as they will melt like snow in our hands. The only things that last is our relationship with God and what we have done for Him.

We never know when we will be asked to abandon all and follow Christ to some new place to spread His message. We have to stay alert and aware of anything in this world that is captivating our attention more than our gaze on Jesus.

Hold on to Jesus and not this world! This is what we can learn from Lot's wife.

Blessings,

Pastor Kris Belfils

Kris Belfils is an Author, Pastor, Singer/Songwriter, Speaker, and Worship Leader. She has a passion to see people transformed and set free. Her newest book, "The Garbage Man Always Comes On Fridays," is a powerful tool to help others overcome their past. www.krisbelfils.com